7 Fascinating Okapi Facts You Probably Didn’t Know #mammals #Okapi #rainforest

The okapi (Okapia johnstoni) is a secretive giraffid found only in the dense Ituri Rainforest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its velvety chocolate‑brown coat and bold zebra‑like stripes on the hind legs give it perfect camouflage among understory foliage. With an exceptionally long prehensile tongue—up to 45 cm—it grooms its eyes and ears and precisely strips leaves from over one hundred plant species, while mothers communicate with calves through low‑frequency infrasonic calls around 14Hz that most predators cannot detect.

Classified as Endangered, okapi populations have dwindled to an estimated 10,000–15,000 individuals due to logging, hunting and habitat fragmentation. They are the only known mammal that feeds exclusively on understory vegetation, making them vital seed dispersers in their ecosystem. Conservation efforts focus on protected‑area management, anti‑poaching patrols and community engagement to ensure these “forest ghosts” continue to thrive.